Karachi, Pakistan: AGI Denim, a leading premium denim manufacturer, proudly announces a groundbreaking collaboration with Colorado-based provider of carbon-negative pigments and bio-based inks, Living Ink Technologies. Together, they are setting a new benchmark in sustainable fashion by introducing Algae Black—a revolutionary black pigment derived from repurposed algae biomass waste—for denim colorization.
Living Ink’s Algae Black is a carbon-negative pigment that transforms renewable algae waste into a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based dyes. This pioneering pigment reduces environmental impact and aligns with AGI Denim’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. By adopting this bio-based pigment, AGI Denim achieves high-quality black denim finishes while actively contributing to carbon sequestration and reducing harmful emissions.
The impact of this innovation is significant. Unlike traditional carbon black pigments derived from petroleum, Algae Black offers an impressive 200% reduction in carbon footprint through its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-backed, carbon-negative process. As a drop-in replacement for petroleum-based dyes, it seamlessly integrates into AGI Denim’s vertical manufacturing system without compromising on quality or performance.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Collaborating with Living Ink lets us push boundaries and create environmentally friendly products without compromising quality. Using algae instead of petroleum underscores our commitment to driving meaningful change in the industry,” said Henry Wong, VP of Product Development & Marketing at AGI Denim, emphasizing the importance of this milestone.
This partnership is a significant addition to AGI Denim’s sustainability initiatives, complementing their ongoing focus on water stewardship, responsible sourcing, and eco-conscious manufacturing practices. With their industry-leading expertise, AGI Denim continues to pioneer solutions that inspire the fashion world to embrace a greener future.
“From my first conversation with the AGI team - I could tell they are doers and world leaders in sustainability and innovation. They are pushing the status quo across the industry and we are excited to provide them sustainable raw materials for their amazing products. At Living Ink, we are excited to partner with AGI and demonstrate yet another application where our products can provide a bio-based replacement for carbon black.” - Scott Fulbright, CEO and Co-Founder at Living Ink Technologies
Formal introductions between AGI Denim and Living Ink stemmed from the Strategic Supplier Initiative (SSI) led by Amsterdam-based innovation platform Fashion For Good (FFG). FFG launched the SSI in 2023 to help enable wider implementation of sustainable supply chain solutions, such as Algae Black in denim coating applications. The Living Ink Technologies team are alumni of FFG’s 8th cohort of their esteemed Accelerator Program.
"At Fashion For Good, we believe transformative innovation happens when leading companies collaborate to solve critical industry challenges. The partnership between AGI Denim and Living Ink exemplifies the exact type of systemic change we aim to accelerate—turning waste streams into valuable, high-performance solutions that can transform manufacturing. Through our Strategic Supplier Initiative, we're proud to have facilitated a connection that not only reduces carbon emissions but also demonstrates how circular design can be seamlessly integrated into premium product development." - Katrin Ley, Managing Director Fashion for Good.
The denim can first be experienced in person in Amsterdam at the denim trade fair, Kingpins Amsterdam, April 16-17, 2025. Clients can also reach out to their AGI Denim representative for private viewings and collaborations.
About AGI Denim: AGI Denim (Artistic Garment Industries) is a leading vertical premium denim manufacturer in Pakistan, with a long-standing history dating back to 1949. The company is at the forefront of the industry, committed to minimizing its environmental impact while maximizing social and economic benefits. AGI Denim's innovative culture and commitment to sustainability and social responsibility are reflected in its best-in-class infrastructure, end-to-end LEED Gold certification, and B Corp certification.
About Living Ink: Living Ink is a biomaterials innovator that transforms industrial biomass waste into carbon-negative black pigments and bio-based inks, replacing the need for petroleum-derived carbon black. Their revolutionary product lines, ALGAE BLACK pigments and ALGAE INK printing inks offer safer, environmentally-smart color solutions for industries worldwide in packaging, footwear, textiles, cosmetics, paints, coatings, and beyond.
